Day: July 24, 2026

Peshawar: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday reaffirmed his support for positive youth initiatives, saying the younger generation was Pakistan’s greatest asset and should be equipped with quality education, skills and a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to national development.

The Governor expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the KP Students Leadership Association (KPSLA), led by its Chairman Kamal Uddin, at the Governor House.

The delegation briefed the Governor on the association’s vision, mission and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting youth leadership, educational development, character building, skill development, volunteerism and community engagement across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting discussed the role of youth in national development, promotion of leadership among students, equal opportunities for young people, quality education and measures to empower the younger generation for a positive role in society.

Governor Kundi appreciated the efforts of the association in providing a constructive platform for students and encouraging positive leadership among youth.

He urged students to pursue education with dedication, develop professional skills and uphold integrity to play an effective role in the country’s progress.

The Governor also assured the delegation of his continued encouragement for initiatives aimed at youth development and stressed the importance of active participation of young people in building a progressive, peaceful and prosperous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

At the end of the meeting, the delegation presented a commemorative shield to Governor Kundi in recognition of his support, while the Governor extended his best wishes for the association’s future endeavors.

Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday distributed financial assistance worth Rs107 million to minority families affected by terrorism under a special welfare package of the Auqaf Department.

The aid was distributed among 1,069 beneficiaries during a ceremony attended by Provincial Minister for Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri, Auqaf Secretary Ata-ur-Rehman and representatives of minority communities.

According to the Auqaf Department, the welfare package included financial assistance for 756 widows, 68 deserving individuals, 155 orphan children and 90 persons with disabilities, with more than Rs19.23 million distributed under this category.

In addition, 167 individuals and families affected by terrorism received financial assistance through the Endowment Fund for Terrorism-Affected Minorities, bringing the total amount distributed to Rs107 million.

Speaking at the event, Minister Sahibzada Muhammad Adnan Qadri said the welfare of minority communities remains a top priority for the provincial government. He added that efforts are continuing to improve basic facilities in minority places of worship and residential areas, while further measures will be taken to support the rehabilitation of families affected by terrorism.

The minister also stated that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has doubled the Endowment Fund established for terrorism victims to provide greater financial security to affected families.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Minority Affairs, Wazirzada, said the financial assistance reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of minority communities.

He emphasized that rehabilitation, social protection and timely support for affected families remain key priorities and praised the Auqaf Department for ensuring transparent distribution of the funds.

Multan: Prof Dr Masood-ur-Rauf Hiraj, one of the most respected surgeons at Nishtar Medical University (NMU) and Hospital, retired from government service after completing a distinguished career spanning decades in medical education, patient care, hospital administration and the welfare of the doctors’ community.

He graduated from King Edward Medical College which was later elevated as King Edward Medical University.

After joining Nishtar, Prof Hiraj served as Dean of Surgery and Allied, Head of the Department of Surgery (Ward-5), Chairman of the Sports Committee and Chairman of the House Job Committee at NMU.

To honour his remarkable contributions, various departments of NMU and hospital organised farewell ceremonies, where colleagues, faculty members and doctors paid glowing tributes to his outstanding services as a surgeon, teacher, administrator and humanitarian.

The Academic Council, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, also acknowledged Prof Hiraj’s invaluable services to the institution and wished him success in the next phase of his life.

Beyond his institutional responsibilities, Prof Hiraj has remained a prominent voice for the medical fraternity. Since 2018, he has been consecutively elected President of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Multan, and continues to serve in the position. During his tenure, he consistently represented the professional and welfare concerns of doctors before the relevant authorities, earning widespread respect as an effective advocate for the medical community.

Throughout his career, Prof Hiraj played a pivotal role in modernizing surgical care at Nishtar Hospital by introducing advanced treatment techniques and donating medical equipment worth millions of rupees to strengthen healthcare services.

His efforts also led to the establishment of a library and a state-of-the-art gymnasium in doctors’ and students’ hostels, besides initiating several renovation and infrastructure improvement projects.

Known for his dedication to academic excellence, Prof Hiraj devoted considerable attention to the training, mentorship and professional development of young doctors, helping shape generations of surgeons and healthcare professionals.

Speakers at the farewell events described Prof Hiraj as an exceptional physician, inspiring teacher, capable administrator and dedicated representative of the doctors’ community. They said his selfless services and lasting contributions to NMU and Nishtar Hospital and the medical profession would be remembered for years, adding that his compassion and generosity had rightly earned him the title of “Edhi of Nishtar.”

Sargodha: District Police Officer Sargodhga Touqeer Muhammad Naeem on Thursday paid surprise visit to two police stations including Sajid Shaheed and Satellite Town police stations to review and the overall conditions.

DPO inspected cleanliness situation,front desk, lockup, revenue office during his visit.

The DPO also met prisoners in the lockup and inquired about the police behavior and status of their cases as well.

He strictly instructed the SHOs concerned to conduct patrolling of the area thoroughly to eliminate crimes. He expressed satisfaction over the police management system at police stations.

Multan: A number of people, mostly youngsters with smartphones or cameras in hands, walked through Walled City, enjoying the sight of timeworn monuments and clicking their cameras to preserve images of Multan’s historic edifices as part of ‘Heritage Photo Walk’, organised by Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) here Thursday.

The Heritage Photo Walk was meant to highlight the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of the Walled City of Multan and was led by TDCP Multan Regional Manager Syed Haider Raza Shah that attracted enthusiastic participation from local students, community members, photography enthusiasts, and people from different walks of life.

During the event, participants explored the historic streets of the old city, visiting centuries-old buildings, heritage sites, and landmarks while capturing the city’s rich architectural and cultural legacy through their cameras.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Haider Raza Shah described Multan is a city with a history and civilization spanning centuries, and declared preserving its rich heritage as a shared responsibility. He said, the Heritage Photo Walk was aimed at introducing the younger generation to the city’s historical identity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, while fostering a sense of responsibility for preserving these valuable assets.

He added that such initiatives not only promote awareness of cultural heritage but also project a positive image of Multan and contribute to the promotion of domestic and international tourism, ultimately strengthening the local economy.

The participants appreciated the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to playing an active role in preserving and promoting Multan’s historical heritage and supporting tourism development in the region.

Gujrat: Rescue 1122 personnel rescued five people who became stranded in floodwaters after their private boat developed a mechanical fault in the Manawar Tawi River near Surkhpur.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the rescued individuals were identified as Ali Raza, 32, Muhammad Zaheer, 34, Irfan Iqbal, 30, Maqsood Alam, 47, and Muhammad Bashir, 45, all residents of Surkhpur.

Rescue teams launched an operation and, after four hours of continuous efforts, safely rescued all five people and shifted them to a secure location. No casualties were reported.